Advertising & Gender

Advertising & Gender Discrimination

Discrimination on the ‘gender ground’ happens where there is less favourable treatment of one person compared to another, because one is a woman and the other is a man.

Pregnant women or women on maternity leave are also protected under the gender ground under the Employment Equality Acts.

Under EU law, a transgender person who experiences discrimination arising from their gender reassignment, or transition, is also protected under the gender ground.”

Report inequality in advertising

If you have come across an advertisement that you believe discriminates on the gender ground, you can report it here.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission or contact the advertiser directly in response to discriminatory advertising.

If you believe an advertisement directly affects your access to employment, you can complain directly to the Workplace Relations Commission.

What's covered?

What's not covered?

Case Studies

Search database for more case studies

What's next?

Make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the body that hears discrimination complaints under Ireland’s equality laws. The WRC deals with both employment and service/goods related claims. There is no fee to bring a case to the WRC and complaints can be made online.

Gender discrimination claims have the option of going to the Circuit Court.

Learn more about the WRC process

Contact us

We, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, have a statutory role to fight discrimination and provide information on equality and human rights in Ireland. Please note however that we are not a court and we do not decide on discrimination claims.

Learn more about how to contact us

Contact another organisation

You may find that another organisation could better help you with your issue.

  • Legal advice

    Free Legal Advice Centres

  • Anti-racism

    INAR (the Irish Network Against Racism)

  • Personal data protection

    Data Protection Commissioner

  • Migrant and refugee rights

    Nasc

  • Employment rights / Equal treatment in services

    Workplace Relations Commission

  • Disability rights

    National Disability Authority

  • Immigration and asylum

    The Refugee Legal Service

  • Community law and mediation

    Community Law & Mediation

  • Citizen's Information Centres

    Citizen’s Information

  • Children's rights

    Children’s Rights Alliance

Browse the database of organisations working on human rights and equality issues in Ireland.

Contact Us

You do not need to provide contact information below but if you do so we will treat your personal information confidentially and in accordance with our data protection policies